Father sentenced after son took gun to school

A hunting enthusiast whose son took a loaded gun to school has been banned from holding a firearms licence for eight years after a judge said recent shootings in the United States showed how serious the offence was.

In May last year, the man's 13-year-old son found the key to his gun safe in an underwear drawer and took a revolver and ammunition to school in Adelaide's north-eastern suburbs.

The boy fired a shot in an isolated area.

He was placed on a bond without a conviction in the Youth Court after admitting to the offence.

His 42-year-old father pleaded guilty to possessing an unregistered firearm, possessing a firearm without a licence and failing to store ammunition separately.

The man was given an 18-month sentence, which was suspended on condition he enter into a two-year bond.

He was fined $500 and banned from holding or obtaining a firearms licence for eight years despite previously requesting that he be allowed to keep guns because he regularly went hunting.

In sentencing, District Court Judge Paul Rice told the man he had allowed the offence to occur by storing the gun incorrectly.

"You hid the key to (your) safe in your underwear drawer in the main bedroom. That was an unimaginative hiding place," he said.

"I've been asked not to make you a scapegoat for your son's actions. That I will not do but I cannot divorce your offending from his.

I do not want to make more of your offending than it deserves, but recent events in America illustrate what happens when guns and ammunition are placed in young hands.

Judge Paul Rice

"I do not want to make more of your offending than it deserves, but recent events in America illustrate what happens when guns and ammunition are placed in young hands.

"Your conduct enabled him to do what he did.

"I do not think you need to be deterred from offending again. Others need to be deterred."

Conviction

Judge Rice noted that the man had asked the court not to impose any convictions because they could hinder him receiving a maritime security clearance which he needed for his employment as a truck driver.

"Your offending is too serious not to impose a conviction," he said.

"Your breach of gun laws was quite flagrant and irresponsible."

Judge Rice said the man should have disposed of the firearm or handed it in until he was licensed to possess it.

"You inherited the revolver from your grandmother's estate. You intended to apply for a class H firearm licence. You have a class A and B licence and you had guns appropriate to those licences," he said.

He said financial constraints meant the man could not pay for a new licence, although he intended to apply as soon as he could afford it.